Collapsible dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A collapsible dispensing system for viscous fluids which should not be mixed until the time of application. The system comprises a cartridge and a container which fits into the cartridge. The cartridge is designed to fit into conventional caulking guns. The cartridge has a forward end cap having a central circular orifice and a rear thrust wall. The container fits into the cartridge and is made up of a plurality of collapsible chambers which hold the viscous fluids. The chambers may take the form of closed bags or accordion cylinders. At the front end of each chamber is a forward end piece. The forward end pieces fit snugly together and form a circular periphery. The forward end piece contains a neck which fits through the forward end cap and attaches to a mixing nozzle. Chambers having predetermined ratios of ingredients may be used in this system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of this invention relates to devices for thedispensing of non-solid, viscous materials.

BACKGROUND ART

Cartridges for storing and dispensing viscous materials such as resins,sealing compositions, dental compositions, or insulation compositionsare known in the art. Such cartridges generally comprise an outer casingcontaining at one end, an end piece which attaches to an applicationnozzle and at the other end, a rear thrust wall designed to slide towardthe end piece and force the viscous material out of the nozzle. Thissliding of the rear thrust wall is brought about by a piston which isgenerally an integral part of a manual operating device, usually in theform of a gun equipped with a rack or friction advance mechanism.

Some viscous products consist of several viscous components which mustbe mixed, in given proportions, only at the time of application. It isknown in the art to store the viscous components in multiple containersinside cartridges in such a way that the advancing rear Thrust wall willforce the components through a single mixing nozzle whereby thecomponents become mixed at the time of application.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,992 to Barthomeuf et al discloses a cartridgecomprising an outer casing and an inner casing. Each casing holds aviscous component of a final product. The cartridge has a front endpiece for receiving an application nozzle and a rear thrust wall whichdrives the components forward and through the nozzle when it isadvanced.

The closest prior art known to the inventor are U.S. Pat Nos. 5,161,715,5,184,757, and 5,242,082 to Giannuzzi. These patents disclose adouble-barreled gun designed to inject a two-component epoxycomposition. The gun contains two parallel barrels, each containing afoil pack containing viscous components of the final epoxy composition.The gun contains two front end pieces which are adapted to send thecomponents into a mixing nozzle. The gun contains two pistons for urgingthe foil packs forward. As the foil packs are urged forward, cuttingelements in the forward end of each barrel slit the foil packs and allowfor the discharge of the stored components.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,085 to Cannon et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,829 toWilcox et al, and U. S. Pat. No. 5,875,928 to Muller et al are similarto each other in that each of these references discloses adouble-barreled cartridge capable of receiving two parallel containerscontaining viscous materials which should be mixed only at the time ofapplication. Each container empties into a front end piece which passesthe viscous components to a mixing nozzle. Each container has a rearthrust wall which may be forced forward to expel the contents of thecontainer into the front end piece.

Thus, cartridges and guns for these cartridges for use with viscouscomponents which must be kept separate from each other are well known inthe art. One problem which exists is the incompatibility of thecartridge of one manufacturer with the gun of another manufacturer oreven the gun of the same manufacturer with a different size cartridge.Thus, a multiplicity of guns and cartridges are on the market, only afew of which are compatible.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The inventor recognized this problem and solved it by providing acartridge which fits common caulking guns and which holds a containermade up of a plurality of material chambers which hold viscousingredients which should be kept separate until the time of application.The cartridge and containers are designed for a single use, and areconstructed of recyclable materials. The chambers may have a variety ofratios of the several components.

The cartridge contains a tubular casing, a forward end cap having anorifice capable of snugly holding a piece capable of coupling with aconventional mixing nozzle, and a rear thrust wall capable of beingurged forward by the piston of a conventional caulking gun.

The container is made up of multiple collapsible chambers containingclosed rear ends, closed side edges, at least one edge being in commonfor at least a portion of the length of a side, and a forward end inwhich the forward edges of the chambers are sealed to a forward endpiece. The collapsible chambers may be sealed bags made of sturdyplastic or expandable and compressible chambers having accordionconfigurations. Each forward end piece has a body portion, a shoulderportion, and a neck portion. When in position in the cartridge, themultiple body portions of the end piece will form a circle which willabut with the cartridge, the shoulder portions will abut with the endcap, and the neck portion will snugly fit through an orifice in the endcap to engage a mixing nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a system having a cartridgecontaining an expanded accordion container.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a system having a cartridgecontaining a collapsed accordion container.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an expanded accordion container.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an expanded bag container.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a two-part forward end piece in the closedposition.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a two-part forward end piece in the openposition.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a four-part forward end piece in the closedposition.

FIG. 8 is an end view of a four-part forward end piece in the openposition.

FIG. 9 is an elevational perspective view of a two-part forward endpiece in the open position.

FIG. 10 is another elevational perspective view of a two-part forwardend piece in the open position.

FIG. 11 is still another elevational perspective view of a two-partforward end piece in the open position.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to theabove drawings. Like numbers refer to like parts throughout thedescription.

The collapsible dispensing system 2 of this invention is useful for thedispensing of viscous materials which should be kept separate until thetime of application. Examples of such materials are epoxy resins whichcontain a resin and a catalyst, sealing compositions, and insulationcompositions.

The system 2 is made up of a container 4 for the viscous materials and acartridge 6 for the container 4.

The container 4 comprises at least two chambers 8 and a forward endpiece 10. Each chamber 8 will be filled with a viscous material whichshould be kept separate from the other material during storage. Eachchamber 8 contains a closed rear end 12; closed side edges 14, at leastone of the closed side edge 14 being common with at least one otherchamber 8 for at least a portion of its length; and a forward edge 16.The forward edge 16 of each chamber 8 is attached to a separate orunified forward end piece 10.

The forward end piece 10 of the container 4 is a hollow body which formsa passageway 18 between the inside of the chamber 8 and a mixing nozzle(not shown). Mixing nozzles are well known in the art, and do notconstitute a part of the present invention. The forward end piece 10comprises a body portion 20, a shoulder portion 22, and a neck portion24. The body portion 20 has an arcuate peripheral edge 26 and a straightcentral edge 28. The shoulder portion 22 connects the body portion 20and the neck portion 24 and forms the front end of the chamber 8. Theshoulder portion 22 is bounded by an arcuate peripheral edge 30 whichabuts with the arcuate peripheral edge 26 of the body portion 20, astraight central edge 32, and an arcuate central edge 34. The neckportion 24 is an elongated piece having an arcuate peripheral edge 36which abuts with the arcuate central edge 34 of the shoulder portion 22and a straight central edge 38. While in storage, the neck portion 24 isclosed by a friction-fit or threaded closure (not shown). The neckportion 24 will attach to a conventional mixing nozzle by a friction fitor by threads 40 . While the several portions have been describedseparately, it is preferable that the forward end piece 10 bemanufactured as a single unit.

The body portion 20, shoulder portion 22, and neck portion 24 are shapedsuch that when a plurality of forward end pieces 10 are fitted together,the arcuate peripheral edges 26, 30,36 form circles and the straightcentral edges 28,32,38 fit snugly together. Thus, if the container 4 ismade up of two chambers 8, and therefore has two forward end pieces 10,each body portion 20 will take the form of a semi-circle when viewedendwise. When placed into the cartridge 6, each straight central edge28,32,38 fits flat against the straight central edge 28, 32,38 of theother and the outer configuration forms a circle. If the container 4 ismade up of three chambers 8, and therefore has three forward end pieces10, each body portion 20 will take the form of a third of a circle (120°) when viewed endwise. When placed into the cartridge 6, each straightedge 28,32,38 will fit snugly with the others.

The containers 4 must be air-tight, collapsible, and made of materialwhich economically justifies disposal and recycling of the system 2following use.

One form of chamber 8 is made of sturdy flexible material, such asplastic or rubber, and is in the form of a closed bag 42. The chamber 8has a closed rearward end 12; at least one closed side edge 14, at leastone closed side edge 14 being in common with at least one other chamber8 for at least a portion of its length, and the forward edge 16 of thechamber 8 is connected to the forward end piece 10. The chambers 8 maybe manufactured using conventional means for making plastic bags, butincluding the additional step of joining at least two such chambers 8together with a heat seal or chemical bonding agents. The chambers 8 maybe joined throughout their entire length or for some other desiredshorter distance. Heat seals are preferred, but conventional chemicalbonding agents are acceptable for the purpose of creating closuresbetween the chambers 8. The end pieces 10 are preferably made ofone-piece molded plastic.

Another form of chamber 8 according to this invention is made up ofsturdy, shape-retaining, but flexible material, such as plastic orrubber and has an accordion configuration 44. The chamber 8 has a closedrearward end 12, a body 46 having circumferential peaks 48 and valleys50, at least one side edge 14 in common with, or slightly separatedfrom, at least one other chamber 8, and the forward edge 16 of thechamber 8 is connected to the forward end piece 10. The chambers 8 maybe manufactured using conventional means for making collapsible plasticor rubber bottles, but including the additional step of joining at leasttwo such chambers 8 together with a heat seal or chemical bondingagents. The chambers 8 may be joined throughout their entire length orfor some other desired shorter distance. As the end piece 10 is requiredto be firm and unyielding and the body of the chamber must be flexible,it is not recommended that the body of the chamber 8 and the end piece10 be manufactured of the same material. As above, the end piece 10 ispreferably manufactured of one piece molded plastic.

Chambers 8 having the same or different volumes may be supplied in asingle container 4. Thus, when 1:1 ratios of materials are desired for atwo-chamber container 4, each chamber 8 is of the same length and hasthe same cross-sectional area. Where ratios other than 1:1 are desired,such as 2:1, 5:1, or 10:1 for two-chambered containers, the length ofthe chambers 8 remains the same, and the cross-sectional areas areadjusted to provide the desired volumes. The same principle applies forthree or more chambers 8. This enables the user to select a singlecontainer 4 for procedures requiring one ratio of materials and anothersingle container 4 for another procedure requiring a different ratio ofmaterials. Thus, unlike the prior art containers, a single cartridge 6and a single gun (not shown) will be suitable for all containers 4regardless of the ratio of materials required by the procedure. If onlya portion of the material is used, the neck portion 24 of the forwardend piece 10 may be closed with a threaded or friction-fit closure (notshown), thus preventing the materials from being exposed to air.

The system 2 is designed for one-time use. Therefore the cartridge 6,forward end cap 52 and rear thrust wall 54 are made of recyclablematerials. The tubular cartridge 6 may be made of metal, cardboard, orsturdy shape-holding plastic. The forward end cap 52 is preferably madeof flexible rubber or plastic so as to achieve easy application to, andremoval from the cartridge 6. The forward end cap 52 contains acentrally located circular orifice 56 which provides for a snug fit withthe neck 24 of the forward end pieces 10 of the container 4. The rearthrust wall 54, which preferably contains a forward extension 58, ispreferably made of metal or plastic. The size of the rear thrust wall 54allows easy sliding within the tubular cartridge 6.

The chambers 8 may be filled with the viscous materials by forcing theviscous material under pressure into the proper chambers through theforward end pieces 10.

In use, the container 4 comprising a plurality of filled chambers 8 isplaced into the cartridge 6 and the assembled system 2 is placed into aconventional caulking gun. The rear thrust wall 54 is impelledforwardly, causing the viscous materials in each of the chambers 8 to beexpelled through the necks 24 of the front end pieces 10 to be mixed inthe mixing nozzles.

The materials will be expelled in direct ratio to the volumes of thechambers 8. Thus, the required, pre-selected ratios are available to theuser.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A system for dispensing viscous materials which should not be mixeduntil the time of application is made up of a cartridge and a containerwhich fits into the cartridge. The cartridge fits into conventionalcaulking guns, thus eliminating the need for multiple, unique guns. Thecartridge is simple in nature, containing a rear thrust wall whichslides forward when impelled by the piston of a gun, and a forward endwall containing a central orifice. The container is made up of aplurality of collapsible chambers for holding the viscous materials.

The chambers may be in the form of sealed collapsible bags or may havean accordion configuration. The chambers may be of any predeterminedvolume ratio. As the rear thrust wall is impelled forwardly, thechambers holding the separate viscous materials collapse and the viscousmaterials are forced through forward end pieces. The forward end piecesare formed such that when fitted together, they fit together snugly andform a circle as their outer configuration. The forward end piecescontain necks which carry the still-separated viscous materials to amixing nozzle for mixing and application to the desired site.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a container for a collapsible dispensingsystem for viscous materials which should be kept separate until thetime of application, the improvement wherein the container comprises atleast two chambers containing closed rear ends, closed side edges, aforward edge, and at least one side which is common between two chambersfor at least a portion of their lengths, and wherein the forward edge ofeach chamber is connected to a forward end piece, the forward end piececomprises a body portion, a shoulder portion, and a neck portion adaptedto attach to a mixing nozzle; the body portion has an arcuate peripheraledge and a central edge; the shoulder portion connects the body portionand the neck portion and forms a front end of the chamber, the shoulderportion has an arcuate peripheral edge which abuts with the arcuateperipheral edge of the body portion, a straight central edge, and anarcuate central edge; the neck portion is an elongated piece having arearward end and a forward end, an arcuate peripheral edge which, at itsrearward end, abuts with the arcuate central edge of the shoulderportion, and a straight central edge; the body portion, shoulderportion, and neck portion being shaped such that when the forward endpieces are fitted together, the arcuate peripheral edges form a circleand the straight central edges fit snugly together.
 2. The container ofclaim 1 wherein, the chambers are in the form of collapsible bags. 3.The container of claim 2 wherein, the chambers are made of sturdyplastic or rubber.
 4. The container of claim 3 wherein, there are twochambers of equal volume.
 5. The container of claim 3 wherein, there area plurality of chambers having volumes having predetermined ratios. 6.The container of claim 1 wherein, the chambers have an accordionconfiguration.
 7. The container of claim 6 wherein, the chambers aremade of sturdy plastic or rubber.
 8. The container of claim 7 wherein,there are two chambers of equal volume.
 9. The container of claim 7wherein, there are a plurality of chambers having volumes havingpredetermined ratios.
 10. In a collapsible dispensing system for viscousmaterials which should be kept separate until the time of application,the improvement wherein the collapsible dispensing system comprises: a)a cartridge having a rearward end and a forward end, a rear thrust wallwhich is slidably mounted at the rearward end, and a forward end wallhaving a side and a forward cover, which forward end wall frictionallyfits onto the forward end of the cartridge, the forward cover of theforward end wall contains a circular orifice, and b) the container ofclaim 1 wherein the neck portion of the forward end piece of thecontainer fits snugly in the circular orifice of the forward end wall.11. In a collapsible dispensing system for viscous materials whichshould be kept separate until the time of application, the improvementwherein the collapsible dispensing system comprises: a) a cartridgehaving a rearward end and a forward end, a rear thrust wall which isslidably mounted at the rearward end, and a forward end wall having aside and a forward cover, which forward end wall frictionally fits ontothe forward end of the cartridge, the forward cover of the forward endwall contains a circular orifice, and b) the container of claim 2wherein the neck portion of the forward end piece of the container fitssnugly in the circular orifice of the forward end wall.
 12. In acollapsible dispensing system for viscous materials which should be keptseparate until the time of application, the improvement wherein thecollapsible dispensing system comprises: a) a cartridge having arearward end and a forward end, a rear thrust wall which is slidablymounted at the rearward end, and a forward end wall having a side and aforward cover, which forward end wall frictionally fits onto the forwardend of the cartridge, the forward cover of the forward end wall containsa circular orifice, and b) the container of claim 3 wherein the neckportion of the forward end piece of the container fits snugly in thecircular orifice of the forward end wall.
 13. In a collapsibledispensing system for viscous materials which should be kept separateuntil the time of application, the improvement wherein the collapsibledispensing system comprises: a) a cartridge having a rearward end and aforward end, a rear thrust wall which is slidably mounted at therearward end, and a forward end wall having a side and a forward cover,which forward end wall frictionally fits onto the forward end of thecartridge, the forward cover of the forward end wall contains a circularorifice, and b) the container of claim 4 wherein the neck portion of theforward end piece of the container fits snugly in the circular orificeof the forward end wall.
 14. In a collapsible dispensing system forviscous materials which should be kept separate until the time ofapplication, the improvement wherein the collapsible dispensing systemcomprises: a) a cartridge having a rearward end and a forward end, arear thrust wall which is slidably mounted at the rearward end, and aforward end wall having a side and a forward cover, which forward endwall frictionally fits onto the forward end of the cartridge, theforward cover of the forward end wall contains a circular orifice, andb) the container of claim 5 wherein the neck portion of the forward endpiece of the container fits snugly in the circular orifice of theforward end wall.
 15. In a collapsible dispensing system for viscousmaterials which should be kept separate until the time of application,the improvement wherein the collapsible dispensing system comprises: a)a cartridge having a rearward end and a forward end, a rear thrust wallwhich is slidably mounted at the rearward end, and a forward end wallhaving a side and a forward cover, which forward end wall frictionallyfits onto the forward end of the cartridge, the forward cover of theforward end wall contains a circular orifice, and b) the container ofclaim 6 wherein the neck portion of the forward end piece of thecontainer fits snugly in the circular orifice of the forward end wall.16. In a collapsible dispensing system for viscous materials whichshould be kept separate until the time of application, the improvementwherein the collapsible dispensing system comprises: a) a cartridgehaving a rearward end and a forward end, a rear thrust wall which isslidably mounted at the rearward end, and a forward end wall having aside and a forward cover, which forward end wall frictionally fits ontothe forward end of the cartridge, the forward cover of the forward endwall contains a circular orifice, and b) the container of claim 7wherein the neck portion of the forward end piece of the container fitssnugly in the circular orifice of the forward end wall.
 17. In acollapsible dispensing system for viscous materials which should be keptseparate until the time of application, the improvement wherein thecollapsible dispensing system comprises: a) a cartridge having arearward end and a forward end, a rear thrust wall which is slidablymounted at the rearward end, and a forward end wall having a side and aforward cover, which forward end wall frictionally fits onto the forwardend of the cartridge, the forward cover of the forward end wall containsa circular orifice, and b) the container of claim 8 wherein the neckportion of the forward end piece of the container fits snugly in thecircular orifice of the forward end.
 18. In a collapsible dispensingsystem for viscous materials which should be kept separate until thetime of application, the improvement wherein the collapsible dispensingsystem comprises: a) a cartridge having a rearward end and a forwardend, a rear thrust wall which is slidably mounted at the rearward end,and a forward end wall having a side and a forward cover, which forwardend wall frictionally fits onto the forward end of the cartridge, theforward cover of the forward end wall contains a circular orifice, andb) the container of claim 9 wherein the neck portion of the forward endpiece of the container fits snugly in the circular orifice of theforward end wall.